Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Menard than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Menard gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1980.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Menard’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Menard faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hail
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Menard’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Menard, and Menard’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Menard’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Menard: $966K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Menard flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Menard, from FEMA’s records: 33.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025 July Central TX Flooding2 claims · $68K
- The Spring severe storms1 claim · $14K
Menard isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Menard County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Menard
Disasters that paid out in Menard itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Menard), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding160 households applied for aid$849K aid approved$1.1M to the City of Menard for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$14K to the City of Menard for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$130K to the City of Menard for repairs
Menard County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Menard after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Menard archive →Get ready for what Menard faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Menard
Is Menard at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Menard has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hail (7%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Menard flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Menard since 1980, $208K in all, or 33.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2025 July Central TX Flooding (2).
Is Menard in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Menard County, 5.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Menard?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Menard’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Menard?
By FEMA money that reached Menard, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2025): 160 households applied for aid, $849K approved, and $1.1M to the City of Menard for repairs. By flood claims, 2025 July Central TX Flooding: 2 paid, $68K.
Is Menard at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Menard’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Menard.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Menard’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.